Glass Sample Vacuum Chamber for Trapped Gas Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass manufacturing processes face challenges in identifying and reducing trapped gases in molten glass, which lead to undesirable bubbles in glass products, as existing GC-MS systems are limited in analyzing larger samples containing multiple bubbles.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a glass sample vacuum chamber, crushing tool, gas sample vacuum chamber, carrier gas supply, GC/MS analyzer, injector, gather valve, and booster to analyze trapped gases in glass samples, allowing for the collection and pressure boosting of gas samples before injection into the GC/MS analyzer, enabling the analysis of multiple bubbles in a single glass sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing GC-MS systems are used to analyze trapped gases, then gas composition analysis is possible, but the systems are limited to analyzing only small samples containing single bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the analysis process into distinct stages: sample introduction, vacuum evacuation, gas release through crushing, gas transfer, and analysis. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, enabling reliable analysis of larger samples with multiple bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum chamber serves as an intermediary between the sample and the GC-MS analyzer. The chamber allows trapped gases to be released and collected in a controlled vacuum environment before transfer to the analyzer, enabling analysis of larger sample volumes that would otherwise overwhelm direct injection systems
2Quantity of substance
If larger glass samples containing multiple bubbles are analyzed, then more comprehensive gas composition data is obtained, but the complexity of the analysis system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber serves multiple functions: it contains the sample during evacuation, provides the environment for gas release through crushing, acts as a collection vessel for released gases, and facilitates transfer to the analyzer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vacuum environment to automatically draw released gases from the crushed sample into the collection chamber without requiring active pumping during the release phase. The pressure differential self-regulates the gas flow from the sample to the analysis system
3Loss of information
If trapped gases are released by crushing the glass sample, then gas composition information is obtained, but the system requires vacuum evacuation and pressure control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system exploits changes in pressure parameters to control gas release and transfer. By evacuating the chamber to vacuum and then introducing carrier gas, the system creates pressure differentials that drive gas release from the sample and subsequent transfer to the analyzer without requiring complex active pumping during these phases
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the accurate determination of trapped gas compositions in glass samples, providing insights to optimize glass manufacturing processes and reduce bubble formation by analyzing larger samples containing multiple voids, thereby improving glass product quality.
Implementation Method 1
The system is evacuated
Implementation Method 2
the glass sample vacuum chamber is provided with carrier gas
Implementation Method 3
the glass sample is crushed to release the gasses trapped therein
Implementation Method 4
the gas sample vacuum chamber is boosted with carrier gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system for carrying out gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) on gasses trapped in glass solidified from molten glass includes a glass sample vacuum chamber having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an introduction port for receiving the glass sample; a crushing tool for crushing the glass sample; a gas sample vacuum chamber disposed in downstream fluid communication with the glass sample vacuum chamber; a supply of carrier gas in fluid communication with the glass sample vacuum chamber; a GC/MS analyzer in downstream fluid communication with the gas sample vacuum chamber; an injector in fluid communication between the GC/MS analyzer and the gas sample vacuum chamber and for injecting the gas sample into the GC/MS analyzer; a gather valve in fluid communication between the glass and gas sample vacuum chambers; and a booster in fluid communication with the gas sample vacuum chamber.